The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation with focused enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Police Department identifies locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. Traffic officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and collisions occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations committed by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

These extra enforcement efforts will take place on Wednesday, August 30th, Thursday, August 31st and Friday, September 1, 2023 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chabot at 310-458-6679, Detective Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427."

Here's an official update about the Dead Body Found Near Santa Monica Pier from the anta Monica Police Department:.

Suspicious Death / Shots Fired Incident
"On Sunday August 27, 2023, at about 10:48 pm, dispatch received a call that a subject described as a male, black, about 180lbs, wearing a grey hoodie, white shirt, black pants and with a black backpack fired once into the air with a handgun in the 1700 block of Ocean Ave on the west sidewalk. A spent casing was recovered at the location. The suspect was not involved in any disturbance prior to shooting the round and left southbound prior to officers’ arrival.

On August 28 at 0112 hours, SMPD officers responded to a call of additional shots fired near the 1500 block of Palisades Park. The RP reported that she “saw a male shooting and then shot himself in the face.” Officers located a victim down at the bottom of the Broadway stairs near PCH who was not breathing and with a gunshot wound. The victim matched the clothing and physical description of the shooter from the earlier call on Ocean Ave. Preliminary investigation indicates the two incidents are possibly related.

The Victim/Suspect, who lists an address in Los Angeles, is currently experiencing homelessness.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chabot at 310-458-6679, Detective Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427."

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On August 29, 2023, at Santa Monica Beach, Vernes Plumbing effectively addressed a notable mainline blockage that resulted in the closure of restrooms at the 1700 block. Amid a temporary interruption due to the mainline obstruction, the Vernes Plumbing team skillfully located and resolved the issue, ensuring the smooth functioning of the restrooms. This momentary disruption garnered the interest of both beachgoers and pedestrians who regularly utilize the area."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

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Just like the one Lonnie Toft rode in the 70's, Kevin from Ocean Park 26 made a 8-wheel skateboard and goes skates it. Joined by Sante Bentivoglio of Bay Street Boards, they hit up Stoner Skate Park, a mini-ramp on the Santa Monica Pier, and Ocean Park.

August 28, 2023
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

BEACH AREAS WARNINGS:

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Ashland Avenue Storm Drain at Santa Monica State Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Herondo Street Storm Drain in Hermosa Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· 28th Street Storm Drain at Manhattan County Beach.

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach

· Pico-Kenter Storm Drain at Santa Monica State Beach

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

· Topanga County Beach, Topanga Canyon Lagoon

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

LIVE FROM THE LA OPERA STAGE TO THE BIG SCREEN AT SANTA MONICA PIER

LA Opera presents Mozart’s Don Giovanni on the big screen. Your beach day just got better. See Mozart’s Don Giovanni, broadcast live from the LA Opera stage to the Big Screen at Santa Monica Pier.

Free to attend, RSVP below
Saturday, September 23

Gates open 4:30pm
Broadcast begins 6:00pm
Santa Monica Pier: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA 90401

Gather your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic and come experience the music and drama of Don Giovanni under the stars. This event is free to attend and open to all ages. RSVP to receive the latest updates and a free gift at the event.



EVENT DETAILS
Arrive early for LA Opera arts & crafts activities

Beach Parking Lot: 1550 Appian Way,
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Food & Beer: **Check back soon for announcements about exciting food vendors at the event



What to Bring: Bring your own blankets, low lawn seats, and cushions. Don't forget your sweaters and jackets. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed.
**Chairs will not be available for rent.

What Not to Bring: Large coolers, canopies, tents or sun umbrellas. Sorry, no pets.
**There will be a bag check at the event entrance.

About Don Giovanni:
In the heat of the moment, the notorious Don Giovanni (aka Don Juan) murders the father of one of his conquests, unwittingly unleashing an ominous force from beyond the grave that can’t be stopped. Accustomed to getting away with anything and everything, he must now face the music as years of cruelty and debauchery come due.

Sign up to attend Opera at the Beach and receive the latest event details.

For more info and to RSVP, Click Here

Several Santa Monica Police officers respond to a combative homeless man in the area on the beach that borders Venice called "No Man's Land"

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica's law enforcement agencies are in the midst of an intensive inquiry following a reported incident at Palisades Park earlier today. This ongoing investigation has prompted the temporary closure of a section of Palisades Park, as well as the Broadway pedestrian bridge which spans the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Santa Monica Police Department has been actively probing a fatality that occurred during the early hours of the morning. The incident site, located at the juncture of Ocean Avenue and Broadway and near the Broadway stairs within Palisades Park, serves as the focal point of this inquiry. The victim, a male believed to be in his 40s, was discovered deceased at the scene. While initial indications hint at a potential connection to homelessness, authorities have also uncovered an associated address in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office has become actively involved in the investigation, dispatching their personnel to the scene. Taking charge of the deceased individual's body, the coroner's team has taken a crucial step towards unraveling the complexities of this incident, which includes determining the precise cause of death.

As the Santa Monica Police Department delves deeper into the investigation, additional updates are anticipated to be released in the coming days. In their efforts to gather a comprehensive understanding of the situation, law enforcement is urging any individuals possessing pertinent information to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation."

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The Santa Monica Police Department is actively investigating a death that occurred early this morning in Palisades Park, near the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Broadway and the Broadway stairs. The deceased appears to be a male in his 40s, possibly homeless but with an associated address in Los Angeles. The LA County Coroner has responded and will assist with crucial aspects of the investigation, including positively identifying the victim and the manner of death.